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Local author’s newest novel published

By Jan RahnTribune Staff Local author Robert Richter’s latest book has been released. His new novel, Something Like a Dream, is his third, joining several pieces of nonfiction, poetry, and numerous reviews, quarterlies and tabloids in the United States, Mexico and Argentina. The new book published by Plain Ventures Press is set in 1980s Vallarta, Mexico. The mystery thriller centers around a way of life that few tourists ever see—however Richter’s travels to the country over a course of 40 years has made him an expert in writing about its culture, geography and lifestyle. The story tells of Cotton Waters, known as ‘Algo’ to the locals, who is an ex-sixties radical who fled his past and lives a laid back life in a hut. A beautiful, wealthy woman interrupts his contentment by hiring him to find her famous husband who disappeared in the remote mountains of Mexico while on a quest seeking spiritual fulfillment. Local merchants, corrupt police, arms dealers, isolated Huichol Indian camps, and a medicine man are encountered on Algo’s journey to search for the husband lost in the desert two-and-a-half years ago. The book leads readers on a wild journey of danger, love and grim discovery, gluing them to the page-turning mystery. Some of Richter’s other books include Homefield: Sonata in Rural Voice and Something in Vallarta. He is known for his nonfictions—Lake McConaughy: A Geographic Portrait and Plainscape: A Portrait of Perkins County. His poetry includes Days in San Blas and Windfall Journal. Richter lives in Perkins County with his wife, Diana Tate, who teaches speech at the high school. He was a fourth generation dryland wheat farmer on the family’s homestead for 20 years. In March 2007, Richter earned a Masters of Arts in History from the University of Nebraska-Kearney. Having been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, he traveled to Argentina that spring to study at the leading research institute in Buenos Aires with a goal of producing a sequel to his Plainscape publication. Richter’s new book, Something Like a Dream, is available online at www.amazon.com or through the publisher, Oak Tree Press. It is also available in Hokes Bookstore in Ogallala. He will be available on April 26 for a booksigning from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Hokes Bookstore at 104 N. Spruce St.